Ms. Schott, The Reds' Joker

Racial slurs by such sports characters as Al Campanis and Jimmy "The Greek" Snyder seem almost sophisticated by comparison to the redneck ravings of Cincinnati Reds' owner Marge Schott.

While Mr. Campanis condescendingly, and wrongly, said that blacks lacked the "necessities" to hold executive jobs in baseball, and Mr. Snyder theorized about blacks' genetic advantage in sports, Ms. Schott got right down into the racist gutter. According to depositions in a lawsuit and other sources, she is fond of using words such as "nigger," "Jap" and "money-grubbing Jews."

She says she's only "joking" when using the offensive terms, and is not a bigot. She also can't understand, she says, why people are so upset that she keeps a swastika armband at home.

If she can't understand why others take offense at her coarse, racist language and at her harboring a Nazi artifact of hate, she's out of touch with reality.

Baseball has made progress in race relations in recent years; it's been slow, but strides have been taken. There are more African-Americans and Hispanics in high-profile jobs. Owners and other officials have taken action against those who utter hateful remarks. But now, along comes Marge.

What should be done?

The other owners will decide soon. At the minimum, she should be fined and suspended as chief executive officer of her team. She shouldn't be only mildly rebuked just because she's an owner.

It may be difficult for the other owners to force her to sell. But players and fans can help. Let them decide whether they can work for and support someone who indulges in bigotry and calls it only a joke